Showing support for imprisoned reporter
The Jewish reporter was detained on March 29 and subsequently charged with espionage, the first time such charges have been levelled against a journalist since the Cold War.
Detained Wall Street Journal journalist Evan Gershkovich this week marked eight weeks in Russian captivity as a court extended his pretrial detentiaon until at least the end of August.
The Jewish reporter was detained on March 29 and subsequently charged with espionage, the first time such charges have been levelled against a journalist since the Cold War.
He and the publication both deny the charges, for which he could face up to 20 years in prison if convicted. The US has officially declared him “wrongfully detained”.
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said in April that a possible prisoner exchange could take place, but only after his trial is completed. No date has been set for that.
The Wall Street Journal reported over the weekend that Russia has for the second time rejected a request for US officials to visit Gershkovich in prison.
In April, US ambassador to Russia Lynne Tracy visited him in Moscow’s Lefortovo Prison, notorious for its harsh conditions, and said, “He is in good health and remains strong.”
The Wall Street Journal has launched a social media campaign to support Gershkovich, under the hashtag “IStandWithEvan”. The AJN backs this campaign.
“We know we are just a niche publication in far away Australia, but every voice counts,” AJN editor Gareth Narunsky said.
“As journalists, we support the rights of our colleagues around the world to work freely and safely, without fear of sanction or imprisonment.”
Gershkovich is the child of Jews who fled the Soviet Union.
WITH TIMES OF ISRAEL
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